The number of graduates working part-time has risen to more than a fifth over
the past year amid a backdrop of declining full-time private sector jobs,
official figures show.

Some 22pc of graduates from the class of 2010/11 were in part-time work six months after graduating, as they entered one of the worst jobs markets young people have seen in a generation.

Almost one in 10 graduates, 9pc, was unemployed, figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency revealed on Thursday. Graduate unemployment is marginally down on the previous year but the figures suggest this is because more students have been forced to accept part-time roles.

The number of graduates entering part-time jobs reached 35,365, out of a total 158,440 graduates in employment, the figures showed. The year before, 20.8pc of graduates were working part-time, down from 21.3pc in 2008/9.

The greatest proportion of graduates (45pc) entered managerial or professional jobs, such as working for law firms or accountants. But those in part-time work were more likely to be in customer services or sales roles, the figures showed.

Of the 224,045 graduates with first, full-time degrees, 158,440 were in employment, although 18,355 of these were combining work with further study.

Some 16pc of graduates went on to do more study, with 9pc unemployed six months after graduating, the figures showed.

Of those graduates who entered employment (including those both working and studying), 69pc were employed in full-time paid work, 22pc were employed part-time, 5pc were self-employed or freelance and 4pc were in voluntary or unpaid work.